Inspectors Say Iran Is Evading Questions as Nuclear Talks Enter a Crucial Stage
Source: New York Times
With only five weeks remaining for a basic agreement to be reached with Iran on the fate of its nuclear program, the worlds nuclear inspectors reported on Thursday that Iran was still refusing to answer their longstanding questions about suspected work on nuclear weapons and designs.
The report, by the International Atomic Energy Agency, was issued just as an American negotiating team heads to Geneva for four days of talks that will, by Sunday, include Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Most of those negotiations focus on the future, particularly on the question of how much nuclear fuel Iran would be permitted to produce and stockpile.
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The report said the agency remains concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear-related activities involving military-related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.
Because Iran has not provided explanations for the agencys questions about all nuclear-related work, the report said, the agency is not in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.
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Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/world/middleeast/un-says-iran-still-evades-queries-on-possible-nuclear-work.html?_r=0
bananas
(27,509 posts)Iran still stalling U.N. nuclear inquiry as deal deadline looms: IAEA
By Shadia Nasralla
(Reuters) - Iran has still not addressed specific issues that could feed suspicions it may have researched an atomic bomb, a U.N. watchdog report showed on Thursday, potentially complicating efforts by six powers to clinch a nuclear deal with Tehran.
Iran and U.S. negotiators will resume talks over Tehran's nuclear programme in Geneva on Friday to narrow remaining gaps aimed at ending a 12-year standoff with the powers, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
The confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), obtained by Reuters, said Tehran was continuing to withhold full cooperation in two areas of a long-running IAEA investigation that it had committed to giving by August last year.
"Iran has not provided any explanations that enable the agency to clarify the outstanding practical measures," the IAEA said, referring to allegations of explosives tests and other activity that could be used to develop nuclear bombs.
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asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)I am so sick of this kind of reporting - what good does it do - this so called "confidential" report ? -
No - I don't have my head in the sand...I read many, many, articles here - and many, many, comments - and I comment a few times..
Here is all I ask - we need a few good men and women to step forward and beat back this crap for going to war. Where is everyone? Stop the tip toeing in the tulips and fire back...
..ginning it up just makes me sick...I have two brothers who saw Viet Nam - and a son who saw the Gulf and Iraq - when a report like this comes across all I see are boots on the ground - planes in the air and ships at sea....for what?
Let the powers to be work through the process of diplomacy - what IS uneasy for me - seeing all the evil men and women from GW Bush era training Jebbie - are we that stupid?
As a last point..my son - a retired Navy Chief called me last night...he is so concerned with all this saber rattling he has made sure his passport is up to date and may very well leave for the country of his wife...this saddens me greatly..he said he was done fighting - even he asks the question "for what"??
watoos
(7,142 posts)The 1st thing that I thought of when I saw N.Y. Times was sweet Judy Miller.
bananas
(27,509 posts)Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)that we will one day be going to war with Iran & Russia. Hopefully China stays on our side. War sucks donkey dick.
Turbineguy
(37,366 posts)sabotage efforts are starting to pay off?